DCN responds to the Spring Statement

Responding to the Chancellor’s Spring Statement, Cllr John Fuller, Chairman of the District Councils’ Network, said:

The Chancellor has missed an opportunity to recognise the crucial role that District Councils play in their communities, especially in health and prevention.

District councils, who are closest to their communities, work hard to reduce the amount of people entering hospitals in the first place, and to ensure those who need care, can live independently at home for longer, once treated.

We hope that government investment will be forthcoming soon to those councils who can help solve problems, one family at a time.

As the key Housing and Planning authorities, we welcome today’s release of Sir Oliver Letwin’s interim update on the build-out review. If local councils are to be responsible for delivering housing in their area, central government must strengthen and support their negotiating power when dealing with developers and builders.